A death sentence diagnosis gave Tim Hill a window to give back and prove the impossible.

The Wilgus Associates Vice President's doctors told him in April 2014 he had Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which attacks motor neurons, cells that control the muscles.

"Every year, we try to do an event that's even crazier than the last," Hill said. "One hundred percent of the proceeds of which goes directly to benefit people with ALS."

Hill's charity, Ten Mile Miracle, has made a splash in past years, with Hill tackling physical activities that people with the neurodegenerative disease would typically find impossible, from walking nearly half a marathon length to diving from 13,500 feet at the Laurel airport.

"The first year, I walked 10 miles from Dewey Beach to Bethany Beach, and I made it, even though I could barely walk at the end," Hill said. "Last year, we did skydiving ... we thought a wrestling match would really be one of the craziest things we could do."

Hill estimated that the past events have brought in tens of thousands of dollars to benefit ALS patients on Delmarva. This year, Hill is organizing "Body Slamming ALS," a wrestling match, to take place on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Frankford Fire Company, featuring 1989 WWF King of the Ring and Hall of Fame wrestler Tito Santana, along with several other professional wrestlers, with all proceeds going directly to ALS patients on Delmarva.

Tim Hill, diagnosed with ALS in May, shakes hands with Mike Destasio, who nears his six-year anniversary of his ALS diagnosis as a benefit for the disease is held at Wilgus Associates Saturday, Nov. 22 in Bethany Beach. , Staff photo by Joe Lamberti

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"With a lot charities, you find that a good amount, if not the majority of proceeds go to overhead," Hill said. "I'm paying entirely to organize this event, and we take calls regularly from people with ALS, so we know what they need and how to get it to them."

Groups like Ten Mile Miracle help to bridge the monetary gap for people suffering from ALS, said Sherry Singer, the care services coordinator for the DC/MD/VA Chapter of the ALS Association.

"What groups like this do is invaluable, where they help with things that are not necessarily medical, but can become a burden when people who aren't as well off now have an ALS diagnosis," Singer said. "Things like home repairs or food, things people need to live comfortably, and the cost of which can be compounded by an ALS diagnosis."

Along with self-funding the events themselves, Hill covers all of the administrative costs for Ten Mile Miracle. A 501(c)(3) charity, Ten Mile Miracle is additionally eligible as a tax write off for donors.

ALS, with less than 20,000 cases reported per year in the U.S., is a rare disorder which causes breakdown of nerves in the spinal cord and brain, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and, inevitably death. While there is no cure, a variety of treatments are available that Hill hopes to ease the financial burden for patients. Ten Mile Miracle directly takes requests from patients, helping to pay for medical equipment, wheelchairs, food, ramps and various other expenses.

Singer, who works closely with Peninsula Regional Medical Center, where Hill had received treatment, said at least 20 patients have directly benefited from Ten Mile Miracle.

"We want to be able to help people directly, to know what they need and get it to them," Hill said. "In our past events, we've drawn in pretty large crowds, which has really made an impact for people diagnosed with ALS."

Singer said that, while having a direct monetary benefit for patients, Hill's specific brand of charity also offers hope to patients diagnosed with ALS.

"What we always tell people in support group is it's living with ALS," Singer said. "It's about living life to the fullest, and knowing that you can still live a high quality of life even though you have this disease. What he does is really such an inspiration to these people."

For Hill, the toll of ALS has begun to grow, with his symptoms progressing significantly over the past two years. Nonetheless, Hill proudly said that his disease won't stop him from hopping into the ring.

"Right now, it's becoming difficult for me to walk, but I still plan on participating," Hill said. "We want people to see these things that ALS patients are typically not expected to be able to do can be done."

Tickets for Body Slamming ALS can be be purchased at TenMileMiracle.com. General admission $20, children 10 and under $5.

ALS support groups are held on the second Friday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. For more information, contact 410-912-7961.